Record cleaning machines

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45RPM KLAUDIO Adaptor
 
An update to my earlier post about my AD not working properly.

For me, the AD is great when it works. My first problem was records coming out wet, which required a return to The Cable Co for a new top plate. Just last week the rollers stopped working, which will also require a return for another repair. I've had it for a year and maybe used it for a total of a month, which is very disappointing given the cost.

Ethan at The Cable Co has been very nice and helpful, but it's still frustrating. I'm afraid I would not recommend purchasing this product if you're looking for a reliable cleaner. If you don't mind losing yours for frequent repairs, it does perform very well when it's working.

I know others haven't had any problems, so maybe I just got one of the lemons.
 
An update to my update: It's been another year and my Audio Desk still doesn't work. And now it's out of warranty, so I'm s.o.l. for the future.

I believe it has been back to the Cable Co four different times for service, so that's $300 worth of shipping gone. Every time I get it back it works fine for one or two uses, but then it fails. This time the rollers don't turn, much less engage, which happened before and was supposedly fixed. Twice. And LPs still come out wet, which was the primary reason for the last return. The rollers had been working fine, but the technician seems to have done more damage than he fixed.

Mike was kind enough to get a group of us a discount on this product, but I wish I had never heard of it. Worst audio purchase I have ever made, by far. It's basically a $4,000 door-stop.

If you own one, good luck with it. If you don't, you would be crazy to buy one.
 
Jon, they should replace it. Mine is the same age and has been flawless. I know David prefers the AD to his Klaudio. Seems like AD's QC is very inconsistent because there are stories similar to yours.
 
Mike said:
Jon, they should replace it.
Click to expand...

Well, I SHOULD look like George Clooney, but that's not happening either.

Yes, ideally someone would replace it as it's never worked properly, and probably never will. But how likely is that? I've filed a claim with Am Ex under their extended warranty program, so maybe they will cover the cost of the next repair or, even better, replacement.

Ethan at the Cable Co has been very helpful, and even "fixed it" for free in March although the warranty had expired in January. I feel bad for him because it seems like a lot of early units were total lemons, mine included. The shipping costs alone must be a nightmare (consumer pays to send it in ($300 so far for me) and Cable Co pays return shipping). I hope the newer machines are better.

Caveat emptor.
 
Wow. My Klaudio had a minor issue, the record started spinning and ultrasonics kicked in during the initial priming stage (filling of the reservoir). I had to pay for shipping to Washington. That's it. The customer service at Klaudio is top shelf. They looked at my unit. I suppose they couldn't 100% fix my original unit so instead they shipped me a BRAND NEW unit within a week, a newer version too with the lighted top slot. I was very impressed. Otherwise both units have functioned flawlessly with 1400 records cleaned.


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I'm very happy with my Klaudio, it works perfect.


Jon, I feel bad for you. I think AD should replace your unit. Have you contacted the company and told them of your issues?

The Cable Company should be doing more for you considering all the issues you've had, if it was a car you could invoke the Lemon Law.
 
My AD has been "out for repair" since last August. At this point I don't expect to ever see it again. My dealer does nothing but stammer now when I ask him about it. There are countless stories on the internet about how bad Audio Desk's quality and service have been.

I have the Clearaudio Double Matrix. The model before this one, mine does not have the Sonic option. I had the motor replaced on it and there are operational flaws which can be aggravating. I still use it and it does a fairly decent job but you have to watch it carefully. Maybe Clearaudio has addressed the problems with this latest version. I know I wouldn't buy another one based on the issues I see with this one, especially for $4k.
 
Mike said:
Jon, they should replace it. Mine is the same age and has been flawless. I know David prefers the AD to his Klaudio. Seems like AD's QC is very inconsistent because there are stories similar to yours.
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Hi Jon. I concurrently own the big THREE vinyl cleaners: VPI HW 27 Typhoon + Audio Desk + Klaudio and what Mike says is true, I do prefer my AD unit hands down over the Klaudio. But that's just me personally. I also plan on purchasing the ClearAudio Double Matrix Sonic as well. This will give a distinct advantage in that I would concurrently own The Big Three and be able to test all the time. For me, this is just fun stuff.

There are some posts I created here on Audio Shark. Give them a read. You will read a lot of useful info not only from my initiating the posts, but you will get insight to other experts on the subject as well.

- David

[h=2]Vinyl Cleaning - The Dirty Truth Letter from Mat Weisfeld, VPI Industries[/h]
[h=1]VPI | Audio Desk | Klaudio | ClearAudio Double Matrix Sonic: User Manuals[/h]
[h=2]VPI | Audio Desk | Klaudio: which RCM is right for you?[/h]
 
Golucid said:
Hi Jon. I concurrently own the big THREE vinyl cleaners: VPI HW 27 Typhoon + Audio Desk + Klaudio and what Mike says is true, I do prefer my AD unit hands down over the Klaudio. But that's just me personally. I also plan on purchasing the ClearAudio Double Matrix Sonic as well. This will give a distinct advantage in that I would concurrently own The Big Three and be able to test all the time. For me, this is just fun stuff.

There are some posts I created here on Audio Shark. Give them a read. You will read a lot of useful info not only from my initiating the posts, but you will get insight to other experts on the subject as well.

- David

[h=2]Vinyl Cleaning - The Dirty Truth Letter from Mat Weisfeld, VPI Industries[/h]
[h=1]VPI | Audio Desk | Klaudio | ClearAudio Double Matrix Sonic: User Manuals[/h]
[h=2]VPI | Audio Desk | Klaudio: which RCM is right for you?[/h]
Click to expand...

One may love the features of the AD but sonically there is no contest. The KLaudio wins hands down,.

klaudio record cleaner

And yes had the Typhoon here earlier. Problem with any vacuum based system is the RCF used.
 
Myles B. Astor said:
One may love the features of the AD but sonically there is no contest. The KLaudio wins hands down,.

klaudio record cleaner

And yes had the Typhoon here earlier. Problem with any vacuum based system is the RCF used.
Click to expand...

Myles, what I have been doing, because I am so far invested financially into these machines, I use the Klaudio for a rinse cycle. Myself, I never hear a sonic improvement with the Klaudio - I wish I did. But, I keep hoping it works...at least for the rinse cycle in removing any residue left by any cleaning agents.

One thing for very certain, using the VPI removes those snap crackle and pop whereas the Klaudio did not and the Audio desk does remove some.

Don't know why this is the consistent case with all my vinyl, but it is.

Something coming to mind just now...what I read is "sonic improvement". What I do not read is folks saying, yeah, the vinyl is much quieter... no snap crackle and pop or static. And this is why I use the VPI because it quiets the vinyl as does the AD. However, you bring up a point, sonic value. But does sonic improvement include also the snap crackle pop?
 
Golucid said:
Myles, what I have been doing, because I am so far invested financially into these machines, I use the Klaudio for a rinse cycle. Myself, I never hear a sonic improvement with the Klaudio - I wish I did. But, I keep hoping it works...at least for the rinse cycle in removing any residue left by any cleaning agents.

One thing for very certain, using the VPI removes those snap crackle and pop whereas the Klaudio did not and the Audio desk does remove some.

Don't know why this is the consistent case with all my vinyl, but it is.

Something coming to mind just now...what I read is "sonic improvement". What I do not read is folks saying, yeah, the vinyl is much quieter... no snap crackle and pop or static. And this is why I use the VPI because it quiets the vinyl as does the AD. However, you bring up a point, sonic value. But does sonic improvement include also the snap crackle pop?
Click to expand...

Two biggest differences between RCMs and RCFs: Transparency and upper octave extension.
 
Golucid said:
Do you still hear any snap crackle and pop after cleaning with the Klaudio?
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I think I went into the why and wherefores in another thread about pops and ticks. Pops and ticks are not only a function of record cleaning but your arm/cartridge/stylus profile and electronics. But yes as I said in the review, the KLaudio does reduce pops and ticks. In fact, US are the first RCM that really do a good job at that; that is with the exception of some of the newer enzyme based cleaners but they are still not in the league of the US machines. Not to mention, the amount of effort that goes into the record cleaning process.
 
With my last effort of cleaning with the KLAudio I added 100mls of white vinegar to the 2 ltrs of distilled water, best clean I have done yet & not one sign of finger prints or smudges etc anywhere.
 
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